SAN ANTONIO -- It was buried near the bottom of a summertime question-and-answer session with Spurs fans after his rookie season, but like most things that come out of Gregg Popovich's mouth, Kawhi Leonard heard every word.

Popovich didn't just praise the rangy forward on his rookie season, he said he thought he'd be the "face of the Spurs" one day.

Popovich is actually way more complimentary of his players than his gruff sideline interviews might suggest, but this was a whopper.

Face of the Spurs?

No matter where that quote was published, it was getting back to Leonard.

Two years max before the Spurs' new Big 3 is Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and... someone to be named later.

I'm giving it next year, who knows what Manu will do (retire?) Kawhi was already the 3rd leading scorer on the Spurs this past season. The sky is the limit for this kid....who knows who the 3rd option will be? It shall be interseting to see if the Spurs make any significant moves this off-season.

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I think he's going to be a star. And as time goes on, he'll be the face of the Spurs, I think.--- Coach Pop on Leonard

I'm giving it next year, who knows what Manu will do (retire?) Kawhi was already the 3rd leading scorer on the Spurs this past season. The sky is the limit for this kid....who knows who the 3rd option will be? It shall be interseting to see if the Spurs make any significant moves this off-season.

Oh yes, I mean two years max until the third player isn't Duncan. Although I guess Duncan could play two more years, so yeah, our Big 3 is already TP, TD, and KL.